Range shooting - far target

J

justagirl28

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Ok I hope this is the right area- with my 9mm Glock, how far out should I be able to shoot somewhat accurately? When I move the target out too far it's hard for me to even use the sights because the target is too small. Is there a different technique when shooting farther away? Thanks guys!!
 
Depends on what you call 'Far'. My 'close' targets are 8" steel circles. At 55 yards I have a group of pepper poppers. At 100 yards, a metal USPSA target.

I get some complaints about my targets being too far out but to my way of thinking, if I can hit at the longer ranges, up close is gravy.
 
As someone posted, focus on the front sight but you must be able to see the target too.

Want to shoot farther? Use a bigger target and shoot for the middle.
 
Sara: Some of the best advice I was given was "sight alignment is more important than sight picture". Especially with a handgun. Make sure everything is perfectly centered and lined up with your handgun sights for accuracy at distance.

It takes an incredible amount of practice to get as good, lets say, as Goldy.

But you have to start somewhere, and the beginning is as good as any other starting place.
 
I used this trick to shrink my groups at 'long range' (15yards) so maybe it might help. Get a sheet of paper 8.5"x11" and shoot it until you can repeatedly get all rounds on paper. Don't worry about group size. When you can do that, cut it in half and start over. When all rounds are on paper, cut it in half again and repeat until you bottom out. It'll help you to learn to focus on the sights, get you familiar with the pistol, develop your stance, and build your confidence all at the same time. Just a suggestion.
 
Focusing on the front sight,,,

I had an instructor explain that to me once,,,
After his words it all made better sense.

When he says "focus on the front sight" what he really meant was,,,
Place 90% of your attention (focus) on placing the front sight on the target.

Don't worry too much about aligning the rear sights as yet.

He said that if you always mentally focus your attention on the front sight,,,
The peripheral vision aspect of your brain will start aligning the rear sights to the front.

It sounds strange but that one tip helped me quite a bit,,,
I was trying to do three things at once:
  • Focus on the front sight,,,
  • Place the front sight on the target,,,
  • And also to align the rear sight to the front sight.

After I shifted to his definition of "focus" my shooting got better,,,
I started grouping for the first time,,,
I moved my groups to the target.

Hey, it worked for me. ;)

Aarond

.
 
Ok I hope this is the right area- with my 9mm Glock, how far out should I be able to shoot somewhat accurately?
Click to expand...
Most real gun battles are 7 yards and less. If you can focus on the front sight to...

- Reliably hit a teacup (paper-plate) saucer
- At that range
- Firing once a second (that's actually a long time: Count One, Two, Three)
- Three successive shots...

You and your Glock are doing well.... very well indeed.







Competitive pistol shooters shoot at 25, and max out a 50 yards.
(But that's not what a Glock is designed for.) :D
 
Ok I hope this is the right area- with my 9mm Glock, how far out should I be able to shoot somewhat accurately?
Click to expand...

Well how far out do you shoot accurately now? Whatever range that is, practice and take lessons till you think that distance is not that far away.

In the mean time throw some shots at targets twice as far as you're now comfortable with, just for fun.

Lather rinse repeat.
 
Practice at 50 yds and you'll find the 25 yds shots are not a big deal !
Or for hunting --I used to shoot metallic slhouette matches where max target was 200 yds .That still is with me and a quick 50 yd one shot kill ,no rest or scope ,is not a big deal !
 
Thanks for all the ideas! I guess it just takes a lot of practice. I'm OK when the target is pretty close and I feel that I'm at least halfway accurate (I haven't been shooting that long), but when I move the target out quite aways its really difficult. I think I'd do just as good if I didn't use the sights at all (when the target is far away). lol :)
 
Human eyes cannot focus at three distances at one time (rear notch, front sight and target). So adjust your sight focus so that the front sight is CRISP and let the rear sight and the target fuzz out a little. You want to see the front sight sharply focused and see a band of light the same width on each side of it from the rear notch. Some times the front sight's width and the rear notch are not a good match for each other so you get little tiny slivers of light on each side of the front sight. This is only good for long range precision work. For speed you need more light on the sides of the front sight. A wide rear notch is not as precise but it's faster to acquire. The rear notch can be opened up a little with a needle file if the notch is too narrow. Practice dry firing as much as you can. (be safe - remove all ammo and magazines from the room where you do this) Take a magic marker and draw a black square on a piece of paper so that when you sight on it the square is the same size as the front sight. Try to dry fire the gun without allowing the front sight to move, any at all off of the square. Relax and use a neutral grip and don't place any pressure on the sides of the trigger, just pull it straight back. Breathe. You have a huge advantage being a girl. I used to instruct and the women were always MUCH easier to teach than the men.
 
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They are easier. I was amazed when I first discovered that but I was working a lot of NRA women's self defense courses and compared to teaching the guys it was so easy. They listen to what you say and don't have any bad habits to unlearn (almost all guys do). It was the most fun job I have ever had the pleasure of working. My last class I had an 82 year old grandmother in my group and she qualified with a .22 Ruger pistol and a .38 S&W revolver and wanted more. We gave her a .45 ACP 1911 and she loved it. And she could hit what she needed to. Anyone creep who breaks in to her house is going to be very surprised. She has no fear and she won't be looking for her cell phone.;)
 
It's been my experience that women are generally better shots too.

If you're not comfortable moving to longer distances, try moving back just one step - or if the targets are on a "clothesline" mount, move the target one foot farther out. Shoot a few at the longer distance and move it back again. Do this at least once each time you go shooting. Before you know it you'll be fine shooting one foot farther. I'm sure you know what to do from there. ;)
 
Thanks! I'll try just moving it a foot father away each time. I think what I had been doing is shooting close then maybe moving it back 10 feet, 10 feet more, etc. I guess I should take baby steps. lol
 
If you are shooting at 25 feet and using a 3" target and you want to go to 50" then use a 6" target. It will look the same.
 
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